Regulating apparatus with throttle gaps

ABSTRACT

A baffle plate between two opposing nozzles is mounted on a flexible carrier which is secured to the armature of an electromagnet so that energization of the electromagnet by control signals causes variations of the throttle gaps between the nozzles and the baffle plate which causes a pressure differential between the discharge conduits of the nozzles. The discharge conduits communicate with chambers of a control slide valve which responds to the pressure differential. The pole shoes of the electromagnet are adjustable toward and away from the armature, and the nozzles are adjustable toward and away from the baffle plate so that irregular tolerances and outer influences on the control system can be compensated.

United States Patent 91 Bartholomaus et a1.

[ 1 Jan. 23, 1973 REGULATING APPARATUS WITH THROTTLE GAPS [73] Assignee: G. L. Rexroth Lohrer Eisenwerk, GmbH, Lohr/Main, Germany; a part interest, by said Bartholomaus and Diehl [22] Filed: Nov. 10, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 88,329

[52] 11.8. Cl ..137/625.62, l37/625,64 [51] Int. Cl ..F15b 9/03, Fl5b 9/07, FlSb 9/12 [58] Field of Search ..l37/625.62, 625.64, 82, 83,

2,924,241 2/1960 Bauer ..l37/625.62 X 3,029,830 4/1962 Klover et a1. ..l 37/625.62 X 1 3,209,782 10/1965 Wolpin et a1 r l 37/625.62 2,964,059 12/1960 Geyer l 37/625.62

Primary Examiner-M. Cary Nelson Assistant ExaminerRobert J. Miller Att0rney-Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT A baffle plate between two opposing nozzles is mounted on a flexible carrier which is secured to the armature of an electromagnet so that energization of the electromagnet by control signals causes variations of the throttle gaps between the nozzles and the baffle plate which causes a pressure differential between the discharge conduits of the nozzles. The discharge conduits communicate with chambers of a control slide valve which responds to the pressure differential. The pole shoes of the electromagnet are adjustable toward and away from the armature, and the nozzles are adjustable toward and away from the baffle plate so that irregular tolerances and outer influences on the control system can be compensated.

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com; LII/n00 and 35mm man! 0 x were: 0/000 REGULATING APPARATUS WITH THROTTLE GAPS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hydraulically operated control slide valve which is combined with an electrically operated throttle gap regulating device which has a pair of nozzles on opposite sides of a baffle plate. Electromagnetic control means influence the width of the throttle gaps between the baffle plate and the nozzles.

The displacement of the baffle plate for varying the throttle gaps amounts only to a few hundredth of a millimeter. Consequently, very high requirements are made regarding the accuracy of the parts which participate in the regulation. For the compensation of manufacturing tolerances, known apparatus according to the prior art provides an adjustment of the baffle plate in such a manner that if no signal is transmitted to the winding of the electromagnetic means which control the armature and the baffle plate, the widths of the throttle gaps are equal to each other so that the same pressure prevails in the discharge conduits of the throttles, and in the chambers connecting with the same. The adjustment of the position of the baffle plate is carried out in a known manner by adjustable springs engaging the baffle plate. Usually, the springs engage the armature of the electromagnetic means which form a unit with the baffle plate. When the baffle plate is adjusted in the neutral position, the springs are differently tensioned. This causes, for the same input signal supplied to the electromagnetic means, in two opposite directions of movement of the baffle plate a different displacement of the baffle plate. Moreover, the adjusting arrangement according to the prior art does not obtain an adjustment in which the pressure differential in the nozzle discharge conduits and nozzle chambers, depends on the input signal of the electromagnetic means in accordance with a linear function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the main object of the invention to provide an apparatus in which the throttle gaps between nozzles and a baffle plate are used for controlling a control valve, and which is constructed in such a manner that finishing tolerances of the important parts of this system can be compensated in a simple manner, together with outside influences.

Another object of the invention is to individually adjust the position of the baffle plate, and of the nozzles.

Another object of the invention is to provide adjustable pole shoes for adjusting the airgap between the pole shoes and the armature which is secured to the baffle plate, and to adjust the nozzles individually toward and away from the baffle plate.

With these objects in view, the permanent magnet of an electromagnetic setting means is provided with pole shoes adjustable in the direction of the armature which carries the baffle plate, and the nozzles are adjustably mounted in the nozzle housing. Due to the fact that the pole shoes and nozzles are individually adjustable, it is possible to adjust the air gaps between the pole shoes and the armature, and the distances between the nozzles and the baffle plate, or baffle plates, independently of each other so that the required function of the pressure differential between the nozzle chambers can be regulated depending on the input signal transmitted to the winding of the electromagnetic setting means, and in both adjustment directions of the electromagnetic setting means.

The distance between the armature and a pair of pole shoes located in a common plane, can be exactly maintained in modern constructions. By using cast resin, the permanent magnet requires only two pole shoes which are adjustable in the direction of the armature, whereas the respective opposite pole shoes on the other side of the armature, can be constructed as fixed part of a leg of a U-shaped permanent magnet. However, it is preferred to provide two pairs of adjustable pole shoes.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier of the baffle plate is secured to the armature of the electromagnetic setting means, and this carrier has a flexible elastic portion which is bent by the displaced armature and baffle plate about an axis. The flexible elastic portion of the carrier of the baffle plate is located in the region of the armature, so that the acceleration and deceleration forces acting on the armature and baffle plate, have no effect on the characteristic function of the control valve which is operated by the pressure differential occurring between the nozzles. Preferably, the elastic flexible portion of the baffle plate carrier is placed in such a position relative to the armature that the axis provided by the flexible portion of the carrier is located in the common center of gravity of the armature, baffle plate, and the end portion of the carrier to which the armature and the baffle plate is secured.

In order to eliminate the influence of the temperature, the valve cylinder of the control valve is fluidtightly sealed in the valve housing, and is closed at the ends by covers which form spaces in which springs are mounted acting in opposite direction at the ends of a valve slide in the valve cylinder, and tending to hold the former in a central and neutral position. Consequently, the parts which are essential for the function of the control valve form a symmetrical unit which is not sensitive to temperature changes. Furthermore, the use of a valve cylinder cooperating with the valve slide, and being centered by springs in the valve housing, has the. advantage that the valve cylinder can be exchanged as a unit together with valve slide. Due to the fact that the end covers of the valve cylinder are adjustable, a precise setting of the control slide in its neutral position is possible. The valve cylinder is held in the valve housing in a simple manner by a screw which extends transversely to the axis of the valve slide and engages in annular groove in the valve cylinder.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the throttle gap regulating means, which essentially consists of the electromagnetic setting means, filter means, nozzles, and the baffle plate, is constructed as a separate unit which can be attached to the valve housing. This has the advantage that the throttle gap regulating means can be combined with control valves of different sizes and constructions as a control apparatus. If the operating temperatures are high, the housing of the control valve is made of a steel alloy, and the sealing means by which the valve cylinder is fluid-tightly mounted in the valve housing, is made of metal.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises electromagnetic means including a permanent magnet having at least two pole shoes, and a movable armature magnetically cooperating with the poles shoes; first adjusting means for adjusting the pole shoes independently of each other toward and away from the armature; a baffle plate connected with the armature for movement; a pair of nozzles having discharge conduits and located on opposite sides of the baffle plate forming throttle gaps with the same so that displacement of the baffle plate by the armature causes variations of the throttle gaps and a pressure differential between the discharge conduits of the same; second adjusting means for adjusting the nozzles toward and away from the baffle plate and for varying the width of the throttle gaps; and control valve means communicating with the discharge conduits and being operated in accordance with a pressure differential between the same.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line lI-II in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. I, partly shown in section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, a valve housing 1 envelopes a valve cylinder 2 in which a valve slide 3 is mounted. Valve cylinder 2 and valve slide 3 form a unit which can be removed from valve housing 1. On valve housing 1, a nozzle housing 4 is mounted, and envelopes nozzles 5 and 6, and a filter 7, see FIG. 2.

Nozzles 5 and 6 have front ends provided with an outer thread 24 cooperating with the corresponding inner thread 25 in nozzle housing 4. Consequently, the nozzles 5 and 6 are individually adjustable in the direction toward and away from a baffle plate 11 so that the throttle gaps 26a,26b, formed between baffle plate 11 and nozzle outlets 50,612, are adjustable. Nozzles 5,6 have annular grooves 27,28, in which sealing rings 29,30 are located for fluid-tight closing of nozzle chambers 31 which are respectively connected by transverse bores 34 and longitudinal bores 35a and 35b, respectively, with the discharge outlet 36 of the respective nozzle 5 or 6. The longitudinal discharge conduits 35a and 35b are closed to the outside in a. fluid-tight manner by balls 37 which are pressed by screws 38 against seats 39. An inner hexagonal surface 35 is provided for the insertion of a wrench during assembly and adjustment of the nozzles. The annular nozzle chambers 31 are connected by bores 40,41 and 42,43, respectively, with the chambers 44,45 of a pair of small nozzles provided for the filter 7, see FIG. 3. The filter chamber 49 is connected by the bore 30 in the nozzle housing 4, and by bore 51 in the valve housing 1, with an inlet P for a pressure fluid provided by a source of pressure fluid, not shown. The bores 53 in the nozzle housing 4, and the bores 54 and 55 in the valve housing 1, and also the transversev bores56 in the valve cylinder 2, connect the annular nozzle chambers 31 in nozzles 5 and 6 with the spring chambers 57,58 formed at the ends of the valve cylinder 2.

Consequently, the same pressure prevails: in the spring chambers 57,58 as in the nozzle chambers 31, respectively, and in the discharge conduits 35a, 35b leading to the nozzle outlets 36. The space 82, into which the discharge conduit 36 open, is connected by the bore 48, see FIG. 2, provided in the nozzle housing 4 and by the bore 32 with the outlet T, see FIG. 3, leading to a reservoir for the fluid, not shown.

The permanent magnet M of the electromagnetic, setting means AT is formed by a yoke J, and two legs S,N, secured to the yoke J by screws 15. Between the two legs S,N, winding means W are provided which surround the armature 12. The permanent magnet M, together with windings W and spacing pieces D consisting of non-magnetic material, is secured to the nozzle housing 4 by screws 16, see FIG. 2. A cap 17 with an electric socket and plug connection 18 for conductors leading to the windings W, envelopes the electromagnetic setting means AT. The two legs N,S of the permanent magnet M, which form North and South poles, are provided with two pairs of threaded poles shoes 19,20,21,22, which are mounted in threaded bores G and are consequently adjustable in the direction of movement of and toward and away from the armature 12 so that the air gaps between the armature 12 and their respective pole shoes on opposite sides of armature 12 can be individually adjusted. The upper pole shoes 19,20 carry spacing pins 23 consisting of a nonmagnetic material which, upon a displacement of the armature 12, abut the armature and prevent sticking of the same to the pole shoes.

The nozzle housing 4 has a chamber 8, see FIG. 2, in which a flange 10 of a tubular carrier 9 is secured by screws 13, see FIG. 1. A sealing ring 10a seals the flange 10 in chamber 8. Carrier 9 has a rigid tubular portion adjacent flange l0, anda flexible elastic portion 9b of small thickness before the other end which has a rigid end member 9a. An end portion 11a of a baffle plate 11 is secured to end portion 9a and located within the same. A hub portion 12a of armature 12 is secured to the outside of the annular end portion 90. Consequently, due to the flexibility of the intermediate thin walled portion of the carrier, armature 12 can perform an angular movement, together with the baffle plate 1 1, when the winding W receives an input signal.

The combined masses of armature l2, baffle plate 11, and an end portion 9a of the carrier 9,.have a common center of gravity located on the pivot axis SM/0 of these parts, formed by the flexible elastic tubular portion 9b of carrier 9.

The valve cylinder 2 of the control valve, has a plurality of annular peripheral grooves 59 in which sealing rings 60 are located which seal the chambers 6la,61b,6 3 of valve cylinder 2 from each other and to the outside in a fluid-tight manner.

The cylindrical extension 62a of the screw 62, see FIG. 2, projects into the annular groove 63, see FIG. 1, of valve cylinder 2 and fixes the valve cylinder 2 in the valve housing 1. The annular groove 63 communicates with the inlet P for pressure fluid, and forms the pressure chamber of the control valve 2,3.

Covers 65,66 at the ends of the valve cylinder 2 close spring chambers 57,58, and are provided with an outer thread 67 cooperating with an inner thread 68 at the ends of valve cylinder 2. The tubular extensions 65a,66a, of the covers 65,66 abut sealing rings 70 provided in the annular groove 69 of valve cylinder 2, so that upon adjustment of the end covers 65,66 for the purpose of varying the tension of the springs 80,81, the fluid-tight sealing of the spring chambers 57,58 is maintained.

The end faces 74,75 of the valve slide 3 have conical recesses 76 cooperating with corresponding conical projections 77 of the spring plates 78,79 of the centering springs 80,81.

The electromagnetic setting means AT, the baffle plate 11, the nozzle housing 4 with nozzles 5,6 and filter 7, and the cap 17, form a detachable and replaceable unit. The sealing between the pressuremedium filled bores 48,50,53,32, 51,54,55 in nozzle housing 4 and in valve housing 1 is effected by means of sealing rings 71 which are located in annular grooves 72 located in the region of the pressure-medium filled bores. The nozzle housing 4 which carries the electromagnetic setting means AT, is secured to the screws 73 to the valve housing 1.

The above-described apparatus operates as follows:

When an electric signal is transmitted to the windings W of the electromagnetic setting means AT, the armature l2 and thereby the baffle plate 11 are angularly displaced while the carrier portion 90 resiliently flexes about the center of gravity and axis SM/O. Assuming that the angular displacement of the baffle plate causes an increase of the width of the throttle gap 26a between the nozzle 5 and baffle plate 11, and a decrease of the throttle gap width 26b between nozzle 6 and baffle plate 11 to the same extent, the pressure in the discharge conduit 35a of nozzle 5 is reduced, and the pressure in the discharge conduit 35b of the nozzle 6 is increased. Since the discharge conduits 35a,35b communicate with the spring chambers 57,58 in the tubular valve cylinder 2 through the bores 34,31,40,53,54, and 34,31,42,53,55, respectively, the control slide 3 is subjected to a pressure differential at its end faces 74,75 so that the resistance of the centering spring 80 is overcome and the valve slide 3 is displaced out of its neutral position, and connects the pressure chamber 63 with the consumer connection B, and also chamber 61, which communicates with the reservoir connection T, with another consumer connection A.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of regulating apparatus with throttle gaps differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a regulating apparatus provided with first adjusting means for adjusting pole shoes relative to a movable armature carrying a baffle plate, and second adjusting means for adjusting the position of nozzles located in opposite sides of the baffle plate, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Regulating apparatus with throttle gaps, comprising electromagnetic means including a magnet having at least two opposite pole shoes, and a movable armature between said pole shoes magnetically cooperating with, and being moved by said pole shoes; adjusting means for adjusting said pole shoes independently of each other toward and away from each other for varying the distance between said pole shoes and thereby the flux therebetween and through said armature; at least one baffle plate connected with said armature for movement; a pair of nozzles having discharge conduits and located on opposite sides of said baffle plate forming throttle gaps with the same so that displacement of said baffle plate by said armature causes variations of said throttle gaps and a pressure differential between said discharge conduits; and control valve means communicating with said discharge conduits and being operated in accordance with said pressure differential.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustable pole shoes are located on the same side of said armature; and wherein said magnet is permanent and includes two other pole shoes located on the other side of said armature respectively opposite said adjustable pole shoes.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a carrier secured to said armature and said baffle plate and supporting the same for angular movement, said carrier having a rigid end portion, and a flexible elastic portion adjacent the other end thereof; an wherein said baffle plate and said armature are secured to said other end of said carrier, said armature having a hub portion surrounding said rigid end portion, whereby displacement of said armature causes elastic bending of said flexible portion and angular displacement of said baffle plate toward one of said nozzles and away from the other nozzle of said pair of nozzles.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said flexible portion bends about an axis located at the center of gravity of the combined mass of said armature, said baffle plate, and said other end of said carri- 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control valve means include a valve cylinder and a valve slide in the same; comprising a housing for said valve cylinder made of a titanium alloy; and sealing means for sealing said valve cylinder in said housing and consisting of metal.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnet has threaded bores into which said pole shoes are adjustably threaded.

7. Regulating apparatus with throttle gaps, comprising electromagnetic means including a magnet having at least two pole shoes, and a movable armature magnetically cooperating with said pole shoes and moved by the same, said magnet having two pairs of threaded bores located on opposite sides of said armature; said adjustable pole shoes being adjustably threaded into one pair of said bores located on the same side of said armature; first adjusting means for threading said adjustable pole shoes in said threaded bores independently of each other toward and away from said armature, and two other pole shoes located on the other side of said armature and threaded into the other pair of bores; at least one baffle plate connected with said armature for movement; a pair of nozzles having discharge conduits located on opposite sides of said baffle plate forming throttle gaps with the same so that displacement of said baffle plate by said armature causes variations of said throttle gaps and a pressure differential between said discharge conduits; second adjusting means for adjusting said nozzles toward and away from said baffle plate and for varying the throttle gaps; and control valve means communicating with said discharge conduits and being operated in accordance with said pressure differential between the same.

8. Regulating apparatus with throttle gaps, comprising electromagnetic means including a magnet having at least two pole shoes, and a movable armature magnetically cooperating with said pole shoes and moved by the same; spacing pins secured to said pole shoes and cooperating with said armature to maintain a minimum gap between said'pole shoes and said armature; first adjusting means for adjusting said pole shoes independently of each other toward and away from said armature; at least one bafi'le plate connected with said armature for. movement; a pair of nozzles having discharge conduits and located on opposite sides of said baffle plate forming throttle gaps with the same so that displacement of said baffle plate by said armature causes variations of said throttle gaps and a pressure differential between said discharge conduits; second adjusting means for adjusting said nozzles toward and away from said baffle plate and for varying the throttle gaps; and control valve means communicating with said discharge conduits and being operated in accordance with said pressure differential between the same. 

1. Regulating apparatus with throttle gaps, comprising electromagnetic means including a magnet having at least two opposite pole shoes, and a movable armature between said pole shoes magnetically cooperating with, and being moved by said pole shoes; adjusting means for adjusting said pole shoes independently of each other toward and away from each other for varying the distance between said pole shoes and thereby the flux therebetween and through said armature; at least one baffle plate connected with said armature for movement; a pair of nozzles having discharge conduits and located on opposite sides of said baffle plate forming throttle gaps with the same so that displacement of said baffle plate by said armature causes variations of said throttle gaps and a pressure differential between said discharge conduits; and control valve means communicating with said discharge conduits and being operated in accordance with said pressure differentiAl.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustable pole shoes are located on the same side of said armature; and wherein said magnet is permanent and includes two other pole shoes located on the other side of said armature respectively opposite said adjustable pole shoes.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a carrier secured to said armature and said baffle plate and supporting the same for angular movement, said carrier having a rigid end portion, and a flexible elastic portion adjacent the other end thereof; an wherein said baffle plate and said armature are secured to said other end of said carrier, said armature having a hub portion surrounding said rigid end portion, whereby displacement of said armature causes elastic bending of said flexible portion and angular displacement of said baffle plate toward one of said nozzles and away from the other nozzle of said pair of nozzles.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said flexible portion bends about an axis located at the center of gravity of the combined mass of said armature, said baffle plate, and said other end of said carrier.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control valve means include a valve cylinder and a valve slide in the same; comprising a housing for said valve cylinder made of a titanium alloy; and sealing means for sealing said valve cylinder in said housing and consisting of metal.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnet has threaded bores into which said pole shoes are adjustably threaded.
 7. Regulating apparatus with throttle gaps, comprising electromagnetic means including a magnet having at least two pole shoes, and a movable armature magnetically cooperating with said pole shoes and moved by the same, said magnet having two pairs of threaded bores located on opposite sides of said armature; said adjustable pole shoes being adjustably threaded into one pair of said bores located on the same side of said armature; first adjusting means for threading said adjustable pole shoes in said threaded bores independently of each other toward and away from said armature, and two other pole shoes located on the other side of said armature and threaded into the other pair of bores; at least one baffle plate connected with said armature for movement; a pair of nozzles having discharge conduits located on opposite sides of said baffle plate forming throttle gaps with the same so that displacement of said baffle plate by said armature causes variations of said throttle gaps and a pressure differential between said discharge conduits; second adjusting means for adjusting said nozzles toward and away from said baffle plate and for varying the throttle gaps; and control valve means communicating with said discharge conduits and being operated in accordance with said pressure differential between the same.
 8. Regulating apparatus with throttle gaps, comprising electromagnetic means including a magnet having at least two pole shoes, and a movable armature magnetically cooperating with said pole shoes and moved by the same; spacing pins secured to said pole shoes and cooperating with said armature to maintain a minimum gap between said pole shoes and said armature; first adjusting means for adjusting said pole shoes independently of each other toward and away from said armature; at least one baffle plate connected with said armature for movement; a pair of nozzles having discharge conduits and located on opposite sides of said baffle plate forming throttle gaps with the same so that displacement of said baffle plate by said armature causes variations of said throttle gaps and a pressure differential between said discharge conduits; second adjusting means for adjusting said nozzles toward and away from said baffle plate and for varying the throttle gaps; and control valve means communicating with said discharge conduits and being operated in accordance with said pressure differential between the same. 